1. Local Governments
Georgia Studies

2. County Governments Serve the People
Counties protect their citizens through the county police (Sheriff) and county fire departments.

3. What do counties keep track of?
Counties keep track of important information for their citizens.
Land ownership
Marriage and Automobile licenses
Voter registration

4. How is a charter similar to a constitution?
Both are plans for government
Both outline the powers of the government
Both identify the boundaries of the government’s authority

5. What the requirements? A region must have 200 or more people
Have 2/3 of its land reserved for residential housing and business development

6. Remaining a municipality
Must hold regular elections
Have at least six official meetings per year
Provide at least three services from an official list.

7. County Government Responsibilities
Build and maintain roads
Control licenses for cars and trucks
Run Georgia’s welfare programs
Voter registration & elections
Land ownership records
Marriage licenses

8. County Courts Each county municipality must have the following courts
Probate court
Magistrate court
Juvenile courts

9. County Officials Each county must have the following officials
County Commissioner
County Board of Commissioners
Clerk of the Superior Court
Probate Court Judge
County Sheriff
Tax Receiver
Tax Collector

10. Similarities Between City Councils and the Legislative Branch
The city council is elected by the citizens of the municipality
The city council makes the laws for the municipality

11. Services Offered by Municipalities
What are the five most important services counties and cities provide?
Why do counties offer these services?

12. Special Purpose-Districts
Formed in order to meet the specific needs of the people
Administrative units which aim to accomplish a specific task
Development Authorities
Downtown Development Authorities
Recreation & Park Authorities
Housing Authorities

13. Three Main Forms of Municipal Government
In all forms of municipal government, citizens elect members to city council
City council is the legislative branch (makes laws)
Forms vary according to executive branch
Council-manager
Strong mayor-council
Weak mayor-council

14. Council-manager City council hires a city manager
City manager is head executive
Decides who is in charge of city services
Runs budget
City also has mayor – member of legislative branch
Can be chosen by mayor or elected by people

15. Strong Mayor-council
Mayor is a powerful executive officer (elected by voters)
Can veto legislation
Can choose people to run city services
Power to run budget
Influence makeup of city committees

16. Weak mayor-council Mayor is elected by voters
Mayor is more for show than for function
No power to choose committee members
No power to veto
No power to run budget